Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission file number 1-16725 PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdicti ...

Des Moines, Iowa-based Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG), is a leading global financial services provider that offers a wide range of financial products and services to individuals, corporations, and institutional clients. With a market cap of $20.1 billion, the company offers retirement solutions, life and health insurance, wellness programs, and investment and banking products. Shares of this global financial services company have underperformed the broader market over the past year. PFG has gained ...

Core Insights - Principal Financial Group is experiencing strong momentum heading into 2026, with a focus on small and midsize business (SMB) retirement and benefits, global asset management, and technology investments related to artificial intelligence [5] SMB Market Insights - 95% of SMB employers surveyed expect to increase or maintain salaries, and about 85% plan for stable or increasing employment levels [1] - SMB customers have been resilient, with an average business tenure of around 30 years, and many clients have been with Principal for over 10 years [2] - The company targets 9% to 12% EPS growth and 75% to 85% free cash flow, with an increased ROE target of 15% to 17% [3] Financial Performance - Principal reported a strong performance in 2025, with adjusted EPS growth of 12%, nearly reaching the top end of the targeted range, and free cash flow also at the top end of expectations [4] - Return on equity increased by 120 basis points, landing in the top half of the targeted range [4] Employee Benefits and Insurance - Principal's employee benefits business is characterized by a focus on dental, life, and disability insurance, with an average of over 3.1 coverages per benefits customer [10] - The company has seen changes in claims trends post-COVID, with dental claims rising while life and disability loss ratios have improved [12] - Annual repricing in SMB allows for adjustments in dental pricing, contributing to a more stable total premium for customers [13] Global Asset Management and AI Strategy - Principal has reorganized its asset management structure to focus on international strengths, with significant growth in real estate and private markets, generating approximately $3.5 billion to $4 billion in positive flows during 2025 [15][16] - AI is viewed as a tool to enhance productivity rather than replace advisors, with significant investment in AI tools leading to increased employee access [17] - The company anticipates that AI investments will yield benefits in margin improvement and growth over time [18] Capital Return and Acquisition Strategy - Principal targets a 40% dividend payout ratio and a total payout ratio of 75% to 85%, including share buybacks [19] - The company remains open to inorganic growth opportunities but emphasizes that acquisitions are not necessary to meet current objectives [19]

Core Viewpoint - The Bank of America U.S. Financial Service Conference features a segment focused on Principal Financial, highlighting the company's leadership and its ongoing developments in the financial services sector [1][2]. Company Overview - Deanna Strable, the President and CEO of Principal Financial, has been with the company since 1990, progressing through various roles to reach her current position [2]. - Strable's tenure as CEO is noted to be around 13 to 14 months, indicating a relatively new leadership phase for the company [2]. Industry Context - The conference serves as a platform for discussing key trends and developments within the financial services industry, emphasizing the importance of leadership and experience in navigating the sector [1].

Summary of Principal Financial Group Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Principal Financial Group (NasdaqGS:PFG) - **Event**: 2026 Conference on February 11, 2026 - **Speaker**: Deanna Strable, President and CEO Key Financial Highlights - **2025 Performance**: - Adjusted EPS growth of 12%, at the top end of the targeted range - Reported EPS growth nearly 20% - Free cash flow at the top end of the targeted range - Return on Equity (ROE) increased by 120 basis points, within the top half of the targeted range [11][12] - **2026 Outlook**: - Targeting 9%-12% EPS growth - Raised ROE target from 14%-16% to 15%-17% - Confidence in maintaining 75%-85% free cash flow [13][14] Business Segments and Strategies - **Focus Areas**: - Retirement ecosystem - Small to midsize businesses (SMBs) - Global asset management [13] - **SMB Market Insights**: - SMBs defined as employers with up to 1,000 employees - Principal has a strong platform for growth in this segment, particularly in retirement and benefits [18] - SMB customers have been in business for an average of 30 years, indicating stability [19] - 95% of SMB employers plan to increase or maintain salaries, and 85% plan to keep or increase employment levels [20] Cross-Selling Opportunities - **Cross-Sell Strategy**: - Focus on leveraging advantages in SMB to drive growth in both retirement and benefits - Challenges in cross-selling due to reliance on third-party advisors [22] - Successful cross-sell examples include Total Retirement Solutions and executive business owner solutions [23][24] Employee Benefits Trends - **Claims Trends**: - Dental claims have increased, while life and disability loss ratios have decreased [25][26] - Work-from-home dynamics have changed disability claims [26] - **Pricing Strategy**: - Ability to reprice benefits annually, allowing for stable premiums while adjusting for claims trends [28] Global Asset Management - **International Strategy**: - Focus on leveraging U.S. strengths in select international markets (China, Brazil, Chile, Mexico) [38] - 40%-45% of AUM from affiliated sources, indicating strong integration with other business lines [39] - **Real Estate Market**: - Six consecutive quarters of growth in real estate returns, with positive flows expected to continue [42] - Interest from Asian and Middle Eastern customers in U.S. capabilities [43] Technology and AI Integration - **AI Utilization**: - AI is viewed as a tool to enhance distribution and service, particularly for SMBs [47] - Proprietary AI tools have been rolled out to a significant portion of employees, enhancing productivity and customer service [51][52] Dividend and Capital Allocation - **Dividend Policy**: - Targeting a 40% payout ratio with a commitment to quarterly dividend increases [57] - Balancing dividends with share buybacks to maintain a 75%-85% payout ratio [58] Cultural Considerations - **Company Culture**: - Emphasis on maintaining a unified culture across global operations, with a focus on leveraging technology and AI [66][67] Conclusion - Principal Financial Group is positioned for continued growth with a strong focus on SMBs, a diversified asset management strategy, and a commitment to leveraging technology for operational efficiency. The company maintains a balanced approach to capital allocation, ensuring shareholder returns while investing in growth opportunities.

Group 1 - The article does not provide any relevant content regarding company or industry insights [1]

Core Viewpoint - Principal Financial Group (PFG) has shown strong performance over the past year, with a stock price increase of approximately 14% and reaching a 52-week high recently [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - PFG's stock has gained about 14% over the past year [1] - The stock has recently rallied to a 52-week high [1] Group 2: Valuation and Returns - The company has experienced mixed performance previously, but a more attractive valuation and ongoing capital returns have contributed to its recent success [1]

Core Insights - Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG) reported a fourth-quarter 2025 operating net income of $2.19 per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.8%, but showed a 13% year-over-year increase [1][8] - Total revenues increased by 9.2% year over year to $4.4 billion, driven by higher premiums, fees, and net investment income [1][8] Revenue Performance - Higher revenues were observed across the Retirement and Income Solution, Investment Management, Specialty Benefits, and Life Insurance segments, despite increased expenses [2] - Total expenses rose by 8.2% year over year to $3.9 billion, attributed to higher benefits, claims, and operating expenses [3] Segment Analysis - **Retirement and Income Solution**: Revenues increased by 15.6% year over year to $2.5 billion, with pre-tax operating earnings rising 7% to $299.5 million [4] - **Investment Management**: Revenues reached $482.7 million, up 1.7% from the prior year, with pre-tax operating earnings increasing by 2% to $166.7 million [4][5] - **International Pension**: Revenues decreased by 9.6% year over year to $216.6 million due to lower premiums and net investment income [5] - **Specialty Benefits**: Revenues increased by 2.8% year over year to $898.2 million, while pre-tax operating earnings decreased by 3% to $142.1 million [6] - **Life Insurance**: Revenues rose by 5.1% year over year to $346.1 million, with pre-tax operating earnings surging more than threefold to $27.5 million [7] Financial Position - As of December 31, 2025, assets under management totaled $781 billion, part of $1.8 trillion in assets under administration [3] - Cash and cash equivalents were $4.4 billion, a 5.2% increase from the end of 2024, while long-term debt decreased by 0.7% to $3.9 billion [10] Shareholder Returns - PFG returned $1.5 billion to shareholders in 2025, including $0.9 billion in share repurchases and $0.7 billion in dividends [11] - The quarterly dividend was raised by 7% to 80 cents per share, payable on March 27, 2026 [11] Full-Year Overview - For 2025, PFG reported an operating net income of $8.27 per share, missing estimates by 0.3%, but reflecting a 19% year-over-year increase [12] - Total operating revenues for the year were $15.93 billion, up 2% year over year [12] Future Guidance - PFG anticipates 9-12% annual non-GAAP operating earnings per diluted share growth and expects a 75-85% free capital flow conversion [13] - The company projects $1.5-$1.8 billion in capital deployment, including $0.8-$1.1 billion for share repurchases and a 40% dividend payout ratio [13]

Principal Financial Group (NasdaqGS:PFG) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 10, 2026 10:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsAmy Friedrich - President of Benefits and ProtectionChris K. - VP and Chief Information OfficerDeanna Strable - CEOHumphrey Lee - VP of Investor RelationsJack Matten - VP of Equity ResearchJoel Pitz - CFOKamal Bhatia - PresidentWes Carmichael - Executive Director of US Life InsuranceConference Call ParticipantsAlex Scott - Director and Senior Equity Research AnalystJoel Hurwitz - Lead AnalystJohn ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) growth for full year 2025 was 12%, at the high end of the target range, while reported EPS growth was nearly 20% [4][5] - Full year non-GAAP operating earnings were $1.9 billion, or $8.55 per diluted share, representing a 12% increase over 2024 [14] - Non-GAAP operating return on equity (ROE) for 2025 was 15.7%, an improvement of 120 basis points compared to the previous year [15] - The company returned over $1.5 billion to shareholders in 2025, including approximately $850 million in share repurchases and $685 million in dividends [5][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the retirement ecosystem, total retirement transfer deposits grew 9% year-over-year to $35 billion, with workplace savings and retirement solutions recurring deposits increasing by 5% [6][19] - Small and midsize business (SMB) market saw WSRS recurring deposits grow 8% in 2025, with transfer deposits increasing by 32% [8] - Investment Management gross sales reached $127 billion in 2025, up 16% from 2024, with private markets sales increasing by 50% [9][20] - Benefits and Protection pre-tax operating earnings increased by 7% in 2025, driven by a 29% increase in life insurance [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company managed assets under management (AUM) was $781 billion at year-end, a 10% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 [17] - International Pension AUM grew 24% year-over-year to record levels [20] - The company experienced a net cash flow of -$2 billion for the quarter, with positive private flows of $1 billion [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on three strategic profit pools: the retirement ecosystem, small and midsize businesses, and global asset management [6] - Recent divestitures, including the sale of the runoff annuities business in Chile, reflect a strategic focus on higher growth and more capital-efficient businesses [12][54] - The company is committed to returning excess capital to shareholders, targeting $1.5-$1.8 billion in capital deployments in 2026 [24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in delivering financial targets for 2026, with expected EPS growth of 9%-12% and ROE of 15%-17% [24] - The company is not currently seeing significant impacts from employment challenges in the market, with stable employment growth expected [40][42] - Management highlighted the importance of leveraging data and emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance customer engagement and experience [11] Other Important Information - The company received several recognitions, including being named a Best Place to Work in Money Management for the 14th consecutive year [12] - The company is focused on optimizing its portfolio to align with growth priorities and enhance strategic focus [54] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for performance fees in Investment Management for 2026 - Management expects performance fees to remain similar to the $30 million-$40 million range seen in 2025 [31][32] Question: Impact of job market challenges on employment growth - Management noted that employment growth remains stable and positive, with no significant impact observed [40][42] Question: Strategy for small divestitures in international markets - Management emphasized that divestitures are part of ongoing portfolio optimization to focus on higher growth businesses [51][54] Question: Confidence in raising ROE target to 15%-17% - Management cited strong competitive positioning and capital-light business model as reasons for increased confidence in ROE [55][56] Question: Capital benefits from divestitures - Management indicated that divestitures will free up capital for share buybacks and organic growth opportunities [62][66] Question: Expectations for loss ratios in Specialty Benefits - Management anticipates improved loss ratios in 2026 driven by pricing and network optimization efforts [70][74] Question: Free cash flow performance compared to peers - Management highlighted a lower capital-intensive business model as a key factor in achieving strong free cash flow [75][80] Question: Outlook for net flows in Investment Management - Management noted a growing pipeline of committed transactions and new diligence activity, particularly in European real estate [84][86]